Congressman Manzullo Safe in New Zealand After Earthquake

(R-Dist. 16) missed becoming a potential victim of New Zealand’s earthquake in Christchurch on Feb. 21 by a matter of hours. Manzullo was leading a trade commission in New Zealand and had left meetings with Christchurch officials 14 hours before the 6.3-magnitude earthquake occurred, killing over 75 people. 

At the time of the earthquake, Manzullo was in meetings at the country’s capital, Wellington, about 180 miles north of Christchurch. 

“We do know the hotel they were staying at Monday night was about 200 yards from the cathedral that collapsed,” said Rich Carter, Manzullo’s director of communications. “So they were pretty close to the action.

Carter is referring to the Anglican Cathedral where authorities there fear up to 22 people–many who were overseas visitors—have been buried under the rubble of the collapse. 

Manzullo is still out of the country and could not be reached for comment. However, Carter said that Manzullo reported that while he himself didn’t feel any tremors in Wellington, some did. Manzullo’s account of what happened was that during the meetings with New Zealand Parliament and New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key, BlackBerry’s started going off simultaneously, bringing the news of the tragedy to officials. Key has said the disaster “could be New Zealand’s darkest day.” 

Carter said that although near the coast, there were no fears of a tsunami and aftershocks weren’t expected that far north. 

While in Christchurch, Manzullo and other seven members of the U.S. congressional delegation met with and got to know several political and business leaders. It was unknown if any of these individuals were harmed in the quake and the news of injuries, deaths and destruction concerned Manzullo and the delegation greatly. 

Manzullo stated in a press release that the delegation’s thoughts and prayers were with the people of Christchurch, the Canterbury region and all of New Zealand, as were those of all Americans. 

A contingent from the United States Embassy was also part of the meetings, which was fortunate, Carter said, as work with the Embassy began immediately. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who could not attend the meetings, had sent a FEMA representative in her place–another fortunate occurrence. 

“It was extremely helpful that someone at FEMA was actually in the country at the time this major disaster occurred,” Carter said. “I know the person at FEMA stayed around and was helping with recovery efforts at Christchurch.” 

The United States also sent out a search and rescue crew and extended any type of help needed, he added.  

Manzullo, as chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, was leading a trade mission in New Zealand to discuss the United States’ proposal to join the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) to eliminate tariffs amongst member nations.  

Carter said that it is hoped New Zealand, being a strong ally of the United States, will decide to join the TPP. Doing so would create more jobs for Americans. It is hoped that New Zealand will become a full participant at the end of this year.